„We must end tax havens – it’s time for Austria to act“
With tax havens in the spotlight across Europe, S&D Group President Hannes Swoboda commented on the recent statements from Luxembourg and Austria on banking secrecy.
„The latest revelations on massive transfers of money to various tax havens must signal the moment for Europe to act and to take the fight against tax evasion seriously.“
Hannes Swoboda continued by calling on Austria to act on banking secrecy:
„As Luxembourg now seems to be ready to move on data exchange in this field, it is now up to Austria to show its willingness to act. The recent statements by Austrian chancellor Werner Fayman go in the right direction, but words must now be followed by actions.
„The Austrian conservatives should now be prepared to change direction on this issue. Austrian finance minister Maria Fekter must finally withdraw her support for tax evaders. Her resistance does not protect ordinary people as she claims but instead protects those who have something to hide.
„These are the people who have large accounts and want to hide them from the tax inspectors. By sheltering them from scrutiny, the people who have to pay the price are the ones who do not have so much. Austria now has to show its commitment to European citizens.“
He concluded by stressing the scale of the savings possible if tax havens were tackled seriously:
„The S&D Group commissioned a study which revealed that more than €1 trillion could be saved annually if tax evasion were tackled seriously in Europe. In times of crisis this money could be used to foster growth and invest in the education and research needed so urgently to get Europe back on track.
„Therefore we have requested for a debate on this issue with the Commission and the Council next week in the Parliament’s plenary session.“
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„Wir müssen Steueroasen beseitigen – es ist Zeit für Österreich, zu handeln“
Hannes Swoboda, Vorsitzender der Sozialdemokratischen Fraktion im Europäischen Parlament, kommentierte die jüngsten Erklärungen seitens der Regierungen Luxemburgs und Österreichs zum Bankgeheimnis, nachdem Steueroasen in ganz Europa wieder ins Scheinwerferlicht gerückt sind: